Saudi Arabia’s greatest World Cup moments

Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari goes up against Argentina’s Lionel Messi during a World Cup match in which the Saudi side scored a historical upset at Qatar’s Lusail Stadium on Nov. 22, 2022. (AFP)
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Updated 12 December 2024
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Saudi Arabia’s greatest World Cup moments

  • Al-Owairan received the ball inside his own half and embarked on an astonishing run that saw one Belgian defender after another beaten, before finishing past Michel Preud’homme
  • Saleh Al-Shehri equalized straight after the break and just five minutes later Salem Dawsari sent Saudi and Arab fans wild with one of the tournament’s most stunning goals

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has taken part in six World Cup tournaments, an Arab record it shares with Morocco and Tunisia. Here are our favorite Green Falcons moments from football’s grandest stage.

5. Saudi defeat Egypt to end winless streak (Russia 2018)

Saudi Arabia returned to the World Cup after an absence of 12 years at Russia 2018 and while there would be no progress from the group stage as there was in the Green Falcons’ debut at USA 1994, there was a first win since that tournament 24 years earlier.

Saudi suffered a painful 5-0 defeat against the hosts on the opening day of the tournament and followed that up with a narrow 1-0 loss against Uruguay. It meant that while the final Group A match against fellow Arab qualifiers Egypt was a dead rubber, pride was very much still at stake.

 

Mohamed Salah, after a stellar season for Liverpool, gave Egypt a 1-0 lead, but deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half, Salman Al-Faraj equalized from the penalty spot.

As the clock passed the 90-minute mark it looked like both teams would be heading home without a win, but Salem Al-Dawsari scored in the 95th minute to make it 2-1 and end the Green Falcon’s 15-match winless World Cup streak.

4. Almost a perfect send-off for Sami Al-Jaber (Germany 2006)

It was almost the ideal end for arguably Saudi Arabia’s greatest ever footballer.

The 2006 World Cup in Germany may not have ended up being too fondly remembered by Saudi fans but it did provide an early moment which hinted at a repeat of the team’s 1994 heroics.

The Green Falcons’ opening match against Tunisia at the Allianz Arena in Munich saw the North African team take the lead from Ziad Jaziri after only 23 minutes but the Saudis struck back with a fine finish by Yasser Al-Qahtani on 57 minutes.

Enter Al-Jaber. Wearing his favored No. 9 green shirt, he was introduced as a substitute after 82 minutes and within moments he was bearing down on Tunisian goalkeeper Ali Boumnijel with the goal at his mercy. Al-Jaber did not disappoint, scoring Saudi’s second before being mobbed by his ecstatic teammates.

Unfortunately for the team managed by Marcos Paqueta, Tunisia equalized in the dying seconds and Saudi went on to lose their next two matches against Ukraine and Spain.

But at least Al-Jaber’s fourth and last World Cup had ended like his first, with a goal for his beloved Saudi Arabia.

3. Al-Ghesheyan stunner gives Saudi a fleeting dream (US 1994)

Saudi Arabia had already created history by progressing from the group stages at the US World Cup in 1994 and their reward was a round of 16 clash with Sweden, who would end up being one of the teams of the tournament.

In the stifling heat of Cotton Bowl in Dallas, the Green Falcons, fresh off a stunning win over Belgium in their previous match, put on brave display but found themselves two goals down after an early header from Martin Dahlin and a strike from Kennet Andersson six minutes after the break.

Just as it looked like an exhausted team was only minutes from heading home, up popped substitute Fahad Al-Ghesheyan to breathe life into Saudi Arabia’s World Cup campaign and allow the fans to dream again.

The 21-year-old collected the ball inside the Swedish penalty area and unleashed a right-foot strike into the roof of the net five minutes from time to suddenly give Saudi hope of a stunning comeback.

But just two minutes later, Andersson scored his second to give Sweden a 3-1 win and eliminate the Falcons from the competition. They had become the first Arab nation to reach the last 16 in their first attempt and no team from the region would progress further until 2022.

2. Al-Owairan scores one of the World Cup’s greatest goals (USA 1994)

To Diego Maradona’s iconic solo goal against England in 1986 and Roberto Baggio’s international career-launching strike against Czechoslovakia in 1990, you can add Saeed Al-Owairan’s remarkable winner against Belgium in 1994.

Saudi Arabia’s debut at the World Cup had ended with a 2-1 loss to reigning European champions the Netherlands at the RFK Stadium in Washington D.C., but in their second Group F match, they managed an excellent 2-1 win over Morocco at the Giants Stadium in New York.

It meant that progress to the last 16 would depend on their result against Belgium, and the Green Falcons would go on to record one of their greatest ever results back at the RFK.

Only five minutes into the match, Al-Owairan received the ball inside his own half and embarked on an astonishing run that saw one Belgian defender after another beaten, before the forward finished past stranded goalkeeper Michel Preud’homme.

The stunned Belgians had no answer to that goal in the next 85 minutes. Saudi Arabia, in their first World Cup, were heading to the last 16 and Al-Owairan had written his name alongside the World Cup greats.

1. Saudi claim greatest win over Messi’s Argentina (Qatar 2022)

There can be few debates about Saudi Arabia’s greatest World Cup moment.

Few people would have given Herve Renard’s team much hope of a victory when they took on Lionel Messi and Argentina at Lusail Stadium on Nov. 22, 2022.

And sure enough it was the Argentine maestro who gave the South Americans the lead on 10 minutes from the penalty spot. But the expected Argentinian procession did not materialize. Instead, the Falcons, through gritty defending and smart counterattacks, slowly grew into the game.

The second half would be a revelation. First Saleh Al-Shehri equalized straight after the break and just five minutes later Salem Dawsari sent Saudi and Arab fans in the stadium and around the world wild with one of the tournament’s most stunning goals.

Messi and his colleagues would go on to win the World Cup, but that day they had no answer to Saudi Arabia’s tigerish performance.

There would be no progress from the group stage for the Falcons, but the 2-1 scoreline gave them their most famous victory and they would end the tournament as the eventual world champions’ only conquerors.


Saudi Arabia complete final preparations ahead of Gold Cup opener against Haiti

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Saudi Arabia complete final preparations ahead of Gold Cup opener against Haiti

  • Saudi Arabia have been drawn in Group D of the regional tournament, where they will face the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Monday’s opponents Haiti

SAN DIEGO: Saudi Arabia’s national team have wrapped up their preparations ahead of their opening match against Haiti in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Monday.

Herve Renard’s side held their final training session on Sunday at the Performance Center in San Diego, ahead of Monday’s Group D clash at Snapdragon Stadium.

The session began with warm-up drills before moving into possession-based training and a half-pitch practice match. Players concluded with stretching exercises.

Midfielder Muhannad Al-Saad was absent from group training due to muscle discomfort in his thigh, team officials confirmed.

Saudi Arabia have been drawn in Group D of the regional tournament, where they will face the United States, Trinidad and Tobago, and Monday’s opponents Haiti.


Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly battle to scoreless draw in Club World Cup opener

Updated 15 June 2025
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Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly battle to scoreless draw in Club World Cup opener

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida: Lionel Messi was denied on a long shot in extra time and Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly settled for a scoreless draw in the opening game of the Club World Cup on Saturday night.
Argentina’s eight-time Ballon d’Or winner kicked a long, curling shot from the right side that was tipped by diving goalkeeper Mohamed Elshenawy and brushed off the crossbar in the 96th minute front of a crowd of more than 60,000 at Hard Rock Stadium. Messi also shaved the post with a free kick in the 60th minute in the second half.
Miami had its own good fortune, surviving a first half onslaught by 12-time African champion Al Ahly, with goalkeeper Oscar Ustari saving a penalty from Trezeguet just before the break.

Key moment

Miami had to rely on veteran Argentine goalkeeper Ustari to keep the game level in the first half, with the 38-year-old pulling off a number of saves as Al Ahly dominated the chances. He produced a crucial double save just before halftime — blocking Trezeguet’s 43rd-minute penalty and then getting up quickly to deny the forward again on the rebound.

Takeaways
A draw leaves both teams with a battle to advance from Group A with tougher tests likely to come against Brazilian giant Palmeiras and Porto from Portugal. The top two advance to the round of 16.
Miami can be encouraged by its performance in the second half after being dominated in the first half. Inter Miami had the better chances after the break, with Messi’s free kick and curling long shot both hitting the woodwork.

What they said
“It was a good party for football. It’s a new competition and the chance to play teams we don’t play normally in our league, so it can be very good for us. You can prove what we can do.” – Javier Mascherano, Inter Miami coach.
“I’m disappointed with the result. We could have taken all three points. We respect Inter Miami and their big-name players, but we could’ve finished the game in the first half by scoring three or four goals.” — Wessam Abou Ali, Ah Ahly forward.
 


Seven Saudi-based foreign players to feature in 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup

Qadsiah’s Mexican forward #33 Julian Quinones celebrates with Qadsiah’s Gabonese forward #10 Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in Riyadh
Updated 14 June 2025
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Seven Saudi-based foreign players to feature in 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup

  • Five of the selected players featured in the latest season of the Saudi Pro League, while the remaining two played in the First Division

RIYADH: Seven Saudi-based foreign professional footballers have been called up to represent their national teams in the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, which will take place in the US and Canada from June 14 to July 6.

Five of the selected players featured in the latest season of the Saudi Pro League, while the remaining two played in the First Division, highlighting the growing global impact of football in the Kingdom.

Among the standout names is Julian Quinones, the prolific striker for Al-Qadsiah, who earned a spot on Mexico’s national team roster. Quinones had an impressive season, finishing as the fourth highest scorer in the top flight with 20 goals.

Panama included Orlando Mosquera, the dependable goalkeeper from Al-Fayha, who helped his team secure a 13th-place finish in the league.

The Jamaican squad features two Saudi-based players: Demarai Gray, the winger for Al-Ettifaq, and Damion Lowe, the defender from Al-Okhdood.

Curacao’s team includes relegated Al-Wehda midfielder Juninho Bacuna, and Jurien Gaari, the defender from Al-Hazem, who secured promotion to the SPL.

Finally, Honduras will be represented by Romell Quioto, the striker for Al-Arabi, who finished the season 12th in the second tier’s standings.


South Africa win first major cricket trophy in 27 years

Updated 14 June 2025
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South Africa win first major cricket trophy in 27 years

  • Match will go down as one of the greatest days in the country’s sports

LONDON: Chokers no more. The South Africans consigned the word to history when they ripped the World Test Championship mace from Australia’s callused grip inside four days of a riveting final at Lord’s.

South Africa wore a new label Saturday — champion — by claiming its first major cricket trophy in 27 years when it wrapped up a five-wicket win.

The last 69 runs required on day four were confidently knocked off by the Proteas in just over two hours — only three boundaries — with Australia typically fighting all the way to the inevitable end.

South Africa moved from a portentous 213-2 overnight to a winning 285-5, the second highest successful run chase in the 141-year test history at the home of cricket.

Victory laid to rest ghosts of heartbreaking losses on big ICC stages that have haunted South Africa for decades. The venues and dates are infamous in South Africa cricket, among them Birmingham 1999, Dhaka 2011, Auckland 2015, Kolkata 2023 and Bridgetown 2024.

But London 2025 will go down as one of the greatest days in South Africa sports, when its cricket underdogs grabbed the advantage and didn’t let go against a red-hot Australia.

“While we were batting, we could hear the Aussies using that dreaded word, choke,” Proteas captain Temba Bavuma said. “It’s been years since we’ve overcome a final. We’ve been etched in history, we’re part of something that has never been done. It’s special in a lot of ways. Also, it’s a chance for South Africa to be united. We’ve got a cause where we can put aside our differences and enjoy. We just have to embrace it.”

The stunning result also bodes well for South Africa’s preparations for its home ODI World Cup in 2027. It’s a different format, but the Proteas’ mindsets won’t be burdened by not having won a global trophy since the Champions Trophy’s precursor in 1998.

Australia didn’t give up the WTC mace easily, relentlessly attacking the stumps and trying to prey on any South Africa butterflies. The desperate Australians used up their three reviews in vain within the first 90 minutes and fought to the end. But the serial champions lost an ICC final for only a fourth time in 14 chances.

“They were fantastic in that fourth innings,” Australia captain Pat Cummins said. “There wasn’t a lot in the wicket but they didn’t give us a chance.”

The Proteas were staunch, losing only three wickets on Saturday. One of them was Aiden Markram, the colossus Australia could not topple until it was too late.

He resumed the day on 102 and was out for 136 when only six runs from victory. He spent six hours, 23 minutes in the middle. Australia didn’t celebrate his wicket. Instead, players slapped Markram on the back and congratulated him on his match-winning knock as the Lord’s crowd stood and applauded.

“Growing up, Lord’s was the one venue I wanted to play at,” Markram said. “To do it at a final and win is something really special.”

About 15 minutes later, Kyle Verreynne hit the winning run, a drive into the covers.

Markram and an injured Bavuma set up the victory the day before with an unbeaten partnership of 143 runs. They could not finish what they started, adding only four runs together before Bavuma edged Cummins behind for 66, one more than he had overnight.

Markram was named man of the match. He also took two vital wickets, that of Steve Smith on 66 in Australia’s first innings, when Smith became the highest foreign test run-scorer at Lord’s, and Josh Hazlewood to end Australia’s second innings. Kagiso Rabada had nine-for in the match.

South Africa’s target was set at 282, considered too far. But in a batting unit far less experienced than Australia’s and considered a weak point, Markram and Bavuma chanced on ideal batting conditions on day three Friday and exploited them mercilessly. The turning point was Bavuma dropped in the slips on 2 by Smith, who broke his finger and didn’t return to the match.

South Africa was criticized by some before the final for its supposedly easier road in the 2023-25 WTC cycle — it didn’t face Australia or England in a series — but it has won eight straight tests, its second longest streak in history.

“We’ve come a long way as a team, as a country,” emotional spinner Keshav Maharaj said. “We always say we want to be good people and play good. We’re moving in the right direction as a cricketing nation.

“After 25 years of pain, to finally get over the line is super emotional. We’re so grateful to have Temba to get us over the line. Diversity is our strength, so to see the crowd, they stand for the meaning of our rainbow nation. To lift the trophy is going to unite the nation even more.”


Al-Qadsiah to face Sevilla in Antonio Puerta Trophy memorial match

Updated 14 June 2025
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Al-Qadsiah to face Sevilla in Antonio Puerta Trophy memorial match

  • Encounter with Spanish La Liga team on Aug. 4 will form key part of Saudi club’s preparations for 2025-26 season

ALKHOBAR: Al-Qadsiah Football Club will take part in the annual Antonio Puerta Trophy memorial match hosted by Spanish club Sevilla FC in tribute to the late Antonio Puerta.

The memorial match is one of Spanish football’s most heartfelt fixtures, held annually to honor the memory of a player who had a lasting impact on Sevilla FC and its supporters.

Puerta died on Aug. 18, 2007, three days after suffering a series of cardiac arrests during a La Liga match against Getafe.

The memorial match will take place at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Seville on Monday, Aug. 4, at 9 p.m. local time.

This fixture forms part of Al-Qadsiah’s pre-season training camp, which will be held across the Netherlands and Spain, ahead of the 2025–2026 season. The team is scheduled to play four friendly matches during the camp, including the high-profile encounter against Sevilla.

The memorial match reflects a broader collaboration between the two clubs, highlighting the symbolic importance of the event and Al-Qadsiah’s growing international profile.

Al-Qadsiah views the match as a milestone in its long-term strategy to foster relationships with leading football institutions and to strengthen its brand across the region and worldwide.